Kwara State Government yester-night decided that the 10 government schools where the use of hijab is disputed will remain shut until a later date.
The decision came on the heels of Christians planned protest after a meeting of Christian leaders at the St. Barnabas Anglican Cathedral, Sabo-Oke, Ilorin, Sunday evening. The meeting saw a large turnout of Kwara Christian Association of Nigeria members from varying units and denominations.
Barely hours after the CAN’s meeting, government reacted in a statement by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development, Mrs Kemi Adeosun that the schools would remain closed for safety reasons.
It listed the schools to include C&S College Sabo Oke, ST. Anthony College, Offa Road, ECWA School, Oja Iya, Surulere Baptist Secondary School, Bishop Smith Secondary School, Agba Dam, CAC Secondary School Asa Dam road, St. Barnabas Secondary School Sabo Oke, St. John School Maraba, St. Williams Secondary School Taiwo Isale, and St. James Secondary School Maraba.
The statement further said “The government therefore directs schoolchildren and teachers in the affected schools to remain at home until the contrary is announced. The government remains committed to fairness, pluralism, and respect for the law and rights of every citizen at all times,” the statement said.
Tension rose penultimate week in Ilorin as the issue of Hijab in Christian schools pitched leaders of the two religious group against each other. Government’s pronouncement on the issue after series of meeting had not gone down well with the Christian leaders who insist on two key demands: "The return of our schools and that no use of hijab in our schools," and that CAN does not want the schools to lose the identity of being built and owned by Churches.
On the government part, it said ”It has also thoroughly considered the education law of Kwara state, the prevailing court judgments and current global trends of multiculturalism in evolving a consultation-based decision that will bring lasting peace and understanding to our communities.
“The government has also paid particular attention to the ‘declaratory’ nature of the subsisting judgments of the Court of Appeal and their purports.
“Consequently, the government hereby acknowledges and approves the right of the Muslim schoolgirls to wear the hijab, and directs the Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development to come up with a uniform hijab for all public and grant-aided schools, which will be the accepted mode of head covering in schools.
To give bite to the Monday protest, according to sources, various denominations of Christian bodies have been directed to appear in their robes of identity while they assemble at the gates of their various schools established by them.
A release sighted by Midlandpost, which emanated from Catholic Education Secretary Fr. Sanni reads: “Good morning My Lord, Fathers, Sisters and dear lay faithfuls, in view of our plans for tomorrow Monday, all Catholics within Ilorin are asked to gather at the gates of our schools as early as 7am to show our displeasure at the govt insistence of the wearing of hijab in all mission schools. Please kindly create this awareness at all Masses today. Below is the grouping of parishes to the affected schools.
It listed its schools to include: St. Anthony Secondary School, St. Williams Junior Secondary School and St. James Primary School, Sabo-Oke.
On the dress code, the release says “All are to be in uniforms and robes that has catholic identity. Those who don't have must flank their rosaries, scapulars around their necks. This is in bid to identify hijackers”
Fr. Sanni however in the release explains that “It is not what we Catholics enjoy doing but necessity has given birth to it. Let us encourage ourselves in this time of struggle. What we set out to do is in no way satanic. It is for the survival of our schools; our patrimony and heritage” it concluded
Comments powered by CComment